Politics
PDP Wants Osun APC Secretariat Shut Over Violence
The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Nigeria Police Force and other sister security agencies to close down the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat over the violence that erupted on Saturday during the appeal committee sitting.
This is as the PDP has alleged that the APC secretariat has become a place of war instead of party administration, adding that the call had become imperative so as to de-escalate the violence and commotion that had been associated with the APC ward congress and appeal.
Making the call, the party in a press statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Ayodeji Areola yesterday in Osogbo stated that the PDP was alarmed by the turn of events in the APC where a ward congress became unmanageable with attendant violence.
It stated that the party was not surprised because the democratic management of party affairs is alien to the APC which has resulted in the state being portrayed as the nation’s capital of negativity due to a ward congress degenerating to a dangerous level.
Expressing dismay at the failure of the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to effectively manage the APC supporters, the party disclosed that the people of Osun had resigned to fate in the face of his unarguable cluelessness in managing state affairs.
It wondered whether violence remained the only dividend reserved for Osun and how the state governor could be at peace with the level of violence unleashed on the state by the factionalised state APC, adding that the disregard for human lives was alarming.
The statement called on the warring factions in the APC to sheathe their swords in the interest of Osun people as the level of panic as a result of the sporadic gunshots by party thugs at the Ogo-Oluwa area of the state capital and other parts of the state on Saturday was sickening and condemnable.
“It is sad that economic activities in these areas were forcefully flagged down as people have to close shops to avoid falling victims of rampaging APC thugs and their bullets. It is indeed a sad turn of events in our dear state,” it read.
Osun PDP, while offering to assist the warring factions in the APC with civilised modes of approaching domestic issues in a political party, also sympathised with victims of the internal party crisis.
“We admonish the suffering masses not to cave into dejection at this time as the four-year ‘Remote Controlled’ regime is fast running out.
“Residents are instead advised to arm themselves with voter cards in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in steady preparation to reverse the gear of the current shenanigans and reshape the state into a productive path,” it said.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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